United States or Colombia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Next Dick & Co. went in force to Harry Hazelton's home, where the coaxing was renewed. "I want to sleep over this scheme, Harry," said Mr. Hazelton finally, "and I think your mother does, too. We don't want to see you miss any good times that you really ought to have, so I think, if the rest are going, we shall probably decide to let you go, too. But I won't say 'yes' to-night.
"Of course we'll be eternally vigilant after this, but the trick was done last night so cleverly and mysteriously that we may be surprised again by the plotters. Speaking of mystery, could anything be stranger, or harder to explain, than what happened to poor Hazelton?" "There was mystery for you!" nodded Mr. Prenter. "Have you any ideas whatever on the subject of Hazelton's disappearance?"
Hazelton's quick eyes were taking in every detail of the work being done by the several large gangs of workmen. "Tom, if we're away from here by Christmas, there's one present you needn't make me," smiled Hazelton wanly, as he caught sight of the camera hanging in its leather field case at his chum's side. "What present is that?" Tom inquired.
"Payson," exclaimed Harry, going up to the foreman, and holding out his hand, "will you accept my apologies for all I said to you? I had to use strong language, or you'd have held me back from Reade." "I didn't believe he could be saved," returned the foreman, with a sickly smile, as he grasped Hazelton's outstretched hand.
"Pure, loving, innocent, and unsuspecting," was Marian Hazelton's verdict, and she followed wistfully every movement of the young girl as she flitted around the room, chatting as familiarly with the dressmaker as if she were a friend long known instead of an entire stranger.
I'm coming, now!" Having tossed the captured revolver in the street behind him, Reade made a sudden leap at the "bad wolf." "Hold on!" cried the fellow sheepishly. "Don't get excited. Here it is; take it!" Seeing how readily their companion had surrendered, the other two headed Hazelton's demand for their weapons.
"You'll get along all right, if you pay strict attention and don't become confused or careless," nodded Jack Rutter. "Now, I'll write 'Reade' on this starting stake of yours, and I'll write Hazelton on your friend's starting stake. After you've surveyed to Hazelton's starting stake let your rodman bring you forward until you overhaul me." "Very good, sir," nodded Tom coolly.
In the "Blade" building the press was rumbling busily as the inside pages of the paper were being run off. Mr. Pollock, all alone in the editorial part of the plant, looked up in astonishment as the ghastly-hued Dodge and Bayliss appeared. The editor's feeling turned to consternation when he saw Hazelton's seemingly pitiable condition.
Then Hazelton sank into a deep slumber, breathing more heavily. "He's all right, now, or will be when he has slept," declared Jim Ferrers. "Is he?" retorted Tom, who held one hand against Harry's flushed face, then ran the fingers down under his chum's shirt. "Jim, he's burning up with fever. That's all that ails him!" Then Tom placed one ear over Hazelton's heart.
Renshaw, get up and hide that pistol somewhere. While you're about it, listen to me. Some scoundrel has blown out a large portion of our retaining wall to-night. I left Hazelton on guard at the point and came ashore to get out the motor boat, 'Morton. Before I could return I heard Hazelton's call for help, and -he has disappeared! There's wicked work on hand to-night.
Word Of The Day